Law No. ZRU-1182: persons with inviolability and immunity defined, violating their guarantees carries 3–5 years in prison, up to 8 years if aggravated

A law has been adopted that defines who in Uzbekistan holds inviolability and immunity and sets criminal liability for violating these guarantees. Unlawful detention of, or investigative actions against, such persons are now punishable by imprisonment.

Law No. ZRU-1182 was adopted on 14 October 2026 and, according to Norma.uz, has been in force since 15 October 2026. It amends the Code of Administrative Responsibility, the Criminal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code.

Who is protected

Inviolability is held by:

• deputies of the Legislative Chamber and members of the Senate;
• the Human Rights Commissioner (Ombudsman) and the Children's Rights Commissioner;
• judges, prosecutors, investigators, inquiry officers and advocates;
• members of the Central Election Commission;
• presidential candidates, for the period of their candidacy.

Immunity is granted to the President, officials of the Presidential Administration and their family members. Senior staff of the Administration keep inviolability for five years after leaving office, but only for acts unrelated to their duties.

Detention and prosecution

• Such persons may not be detained or brought to law enforcement bodies. The exception is detention for up to three hours under the Criminal Procedure Code.
• Criminal prosecution requires the consent of the relevant chamber, the President or another authorised body. For senior staff of the Presidential Administration, the President's written consent is needed on the Prosecutor General's submission.
• Wiretapping and monitoring of correspondence are allowed by court decision or with the Prosecutor General's written permission.
• Evidence obtained in breach of these rules is inadmissible.

Penalties for violations

Knowingly unlawful detention, forced bringing in, investigative actions against such a person, or ordering them, is punishable by restriction or deprivation of liberty for 3 to 5 years with deprivation of a certain right. If the act is repeated, committed by a group, involves violence or threats, fabrication of evidence, arrest or unlawful criminal prosecution, the penalty is 5 to 8 years in prison.

Damage caused by decisions and actions of officials and senior Presidential Administration staff in the performance of their duties is compensated from the State Budget, and no recourse claim is made against them.

What this means in practice. The law chiefly concerns law enforcement staff: actions against protected persons now require strict observance of procedure, otherwise criminal liability follows. For advocates and other participants in proceedings, the list of persons with inviolability is now fixed by law, and evidence obtained in breach of the rules will not be accepted. Check the exact wording of the provisions in the text of the law on lex.uz.

Photo: Enric, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)